Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Business Update

lord duncan of springbank: My hon friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility (Kelly Tolhurst) has today made the following statement: I am writing to inform the House that the Government is pleased to accept all of the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations for the new National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates, which will come into force in April 2020. The Low Pay Commission is an internationally renowned independent and expert body which conducts extensive analysis and stakeholder research to make its recommendations. The Low Pay Commission has recommended that: The National Living Wage (for workers aged 25 and over) should increase from £8.21 to £8.72;The rate for 21 to 24-year-olds should increase from £7.70 to £8.20;The rate for 18 to 20-year-olds should increase from £6.15 to £6.45;​The rate for 16 to 17-year-olds should increase from £4.35 to £4.55; andThe apprentice rate (for apprentices aged under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship) should increase from £3.90 to £4.15.The Low Pay Commission has also recommended that the accommodation offset increases from the current rate of £7.55 to £8.20 from 1 April 2020. We welcome the Low Pay Commission’s recommendation of an increase to the National Living Wage rate such that it meets the Government’s objective of reaching 60% of median earnings by 2020.The new National Living Wage rate of £8.72 will be the highest ever UK minimum wage and benefit over two million workers. From April 2020, a full-time worker on the National Living Wage will see their earnings increase by nearly £4,000 over the course of the year, compared to when the National Living Wage was introduced. This increase in the National Living Wage is the first step in meeting our commitment to raise the NLW to two-thirds of median earnings, provided economic conditions allow, within the next five years.The Low Pay Commission’s recommendations for increasing the National Minimum Wage youth rates, by between 4.6% and 6.5%, are well ahead of forecast inflation.These increases are due to come into effect from 1 April 2020, subject to parliamentary approval. The Government intends to lay implementing regulations before Parliament in due course.A copy of the response will be available from the BEIS website at www.beis.gov.uk 


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E3C Report

lord duncan of springbank: My Rt hon friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Andrea Leadsom) has today made the following statement:On Friday 9th August 2019, over 1 million customers were affected by a major power disruption that occurred across England and Wales and some parts of Scotland. The power outage was due to the loss of a mix of generation including a gas fired power station and an offshore wind farm.Though the power disruption itself was relatively short lived – all customers were restored within 45 minutes - the knock-on impacts to other services were significant. This is especially true for rail services which experienced major delays that extended into Sunday 11th August. The wider disruptions were caused by automatic safety systems under the control of individual service providers, which reacted to frequency and voltage fluctuations, or problems with their back-up power supplies.Given the severity of the incident, I commissioned the Energy Emergency Executive Committee (E3C) to conduct a review to identify lessons learnt and put in place a robust action plan to improve the reliability and integrity of our power network. The Committee’s final report was published on Friday 3rd January. This follows the publication of their interim report on 4th October. The final report sets out 10 clear actions and these will be implemented in full, to help prevent and manage future power disruption events. Alongside the E3C report, Ofgem also published the conclusions of its own investigations into the incident. This set out a series of cross-industry actions for maintaining the resilience of the electricity system, as well as announcing voluntary payments totalling £10.5 million for companies involved in the power outages.GB Power Disruption: E3C Lessons Learnt and Actions Following a lightning strike on an overhead transmission line, there was a near simultaneous generation loss at two transmission-connection generators; and a significant number of smaller embedded generators connected to the distribution network. The two transmission-connected generators experienced technical issues near-simultaneously. Both generators have acknowledged the role they played in the incident and since implemented technical fixes to ensure that their systems can withstand similar incidents in the future. The E3C will share the lessons identified with generators across the UK. The loss of smaller embedded generation on the day was greater than expected. The E3C report sets out a series of actions to assess the need for improvements to the governance, monitoring and enforcement processes for large and smaller generators. On the 9th August, the cumulative loss of generation exceeded the amount of back-up generation on hold. This triggered the first stage a demand disconnection protection system, which is the last line of defence when the system is out of balance. This resulted in over 1 million customers being disconnected from the network. Given the events on the 9th August, the E3C report recommends a review of how much back-up generation the Electricity System Operator should be required to hold. As this is funded through consumer bills, the review will include a cost benefit analysis of increasing the amount of reserves. Although the demand disconnection protection system worked broadly as intended, the review identified some discrepancies in its operation; therefore, the report recommends further analysis of the schemes performance in order to develop options for short- and long-term improvements. This includes considering whether Distribution Network Operators should afford particular types of customers any form of protection, especially during the early stages of an incident. In addition to the direct impacts of customers being disconnected from the electricity network, wider disruptions on the day were caused by the automatic safety systems owned and operated by individual service providers reacting unexpectedly to the frequency and voltage fluctuations on the electricity network; or problems with their own back-up power supplies. The E3C will consider what more can be done to support essential services owners and operators with advice and guidance to put in place more robust business continuity plans. Effective communication is a vital part of any emergency response. Unfortunately, industry communications on the day fell below the standard expected, with infrequent and disjointed updates to the general public. The E3C will develop and roll out new communications processes to ensure the general public receives regular updates during any future disruptions. There will also be a review of operational protocols to make sure they are fit for purpose. Where appropriate, the E3C and Ofgem reports contain jointly agreed actions and recommendations. The E3C will take the actions set out both reports to drive forward changes across the sector. The Committee will provide quarterly updates to my Department and Ofgem. The UK leads the world by working to eradicate its contribution to climate change by 2050, the actions I have outlined here today will form part of a wider package of work already underway across government and industry to ensure the UK’s energy system remains resilient as we transition to clean and affordable energy.


This statement has also been made in the House of Commons: 
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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London Croughton Annex

lord ahmad of wimbledon: My Right Honourable Friend, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Dominic Raab), has made the following written Ministerial statement:I told the House on 21 October that, following the tragic case of Harry Dunn, I had commissioned a review of the immunity arrangements at the Croughton Annex for US personnel and their families who hold privileges and immunities under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, following the 27 August road collision in which Harry Dunn was killed. I committed to completing the Review by the end of the year.The Croughton Review has now concluded. It considered the anomaly that family members of US officers serving at the Annex at RAF Croughton have, under current arrangements between the UK and the US, greater protection from UK criminal jurisdiction than the officers themselves. On the basis of the Review, I have instructed my officials to begin discussions with the US on the most effective way to address this anomaly.


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NATO Leaders' Meeting 3-4 December 2019

lord ahmad of wimbledon: My Right Honourable Friend, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Dominic Raab), has made the following written Ministerial statement:On 3-4 December, NATO Leaders met in London to mark 70 successful years of the Alliance, in a valuable opportunity to reaffirm British leadership. These events demonstrated a strong sense of NATO’s unity and purpose, progressed the largest reinforcement of collective defence since the end of the Cold War and agreed ways to ensure NATO will continue to meet future threats. I have placed a copy of the NATO London Declaration, capturing these commitments, in the libraries of both Houses.In order to maintain our Alliance, defend our interests, and fulfil our commitments, NATO Allies must all pay their fair share. So I was pleased that the meeting highlighted significant progress on burden sharing, with the NATO Secretary General announcing an increase in non-US defence investment of $130bn from 2016-2020, expected to rise to $400bn by 2024. The UK remains one of nine Allies meeting its 2% defence spending commitment, including a 20% investment in new capabilities. I will continue to urge other NATO Allies to make progress in implementing our 2024 defence investment commitment.In a session of the North Atlantic Council chaired by the Secretary General, Leaders reaffirmed NATO’s purpose and noted decisions taken to prevent conflict and preserve peace. These included addressing both state and non-state threats, a collective response to Russia’s deployment of Treaty-violating intermediate range missiles, a refreshed Counter Terrorism Action Plan, stronger policies to counter hybrid threats, and work to increase the resilience of Allies’ critical national infrastructure.Allies also committed forces to NATO’s Readiness Initiative - ensuring that the Alliance can deploy 30 ships, 30 battalions and 30 air squadrons at 30 days’ notice. The UK has provided the single largest commitment, offering three battlegroups, two air squadrons, and six warships, including an aircraft carrier, to ensure that NATO retains its ability to deploy quickly and at strength.Allies also discussed plans to enable this great Alliance to adapt to future challenges, and ensure that it continues to deliver peace and security for one billion people.Allies agreed a roadmap for NATO’s response to Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (including artificial intelligence and quantum computing), initiated work to address the opportunities and challenges of China’s growing influence and declared Space an operational domain. NATO is also stepping up its role in human security, including through a new (anti) sexual exploitation and abuse policy.Alongside the formal meetings, Her Majesty The Queen hosted the NATO Secretary General and 29 other Heads of State and Government from NATO countries and North Macedonia on 3 December. The Prime Minister undertook a range of bilateral meetings, including with the leaders of France, Germany and Turkey where they discussed the situation in Syria and agreed on the importance of humanitarian access and protection of civilians. I hosted Foreign Ministers from NATO Allies - and NATO Partners Ukraine and Georgia - on 3 December. NATO also held a major outreach event under the banner of “NATO Engages”, with a diverse, predominately young audience of more than 1000 attendees. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office also hosted 100 university students for a ‘Model NATO’ exercise, and visited more than 1000 students in 15 universities across the UK in the weeks leading up to the Leaders’ Meeting.I look forward to working with all NATO Allies and Partners in implementing the outcomes from the Leaders’ Meeting and in welcoming North Macedonia as the thirtieth member of our Alliance in the coming months. When we stand together, decide together, act together – we are stronger and safer. These steps will further strengthen the purpose and unity of an Alliance that continues to be the cornerstone of our security, and post-Brexit we will continue to reinforce its importance.


This statement has also been made in the House of Commons: 
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Cabinet Office

The Government’s Legislative Programme 2019

baroness evans of bowes park: My Rt Hon. Friend the Leader of the House of Commons has made the following statement to the House of Commons:Following Thursday’s State Opening of Parliament, and for the convenience of the House, I am listing the bills which were announced: • Agriculture Bill• Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill• Armed Forces (Legal Protections) Bill• Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bill• Building Safety Bill• Counter Terrorism (Sentencing and Release) Bill• Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill• Domestic Abuse Bill• Employment Bill• Environment Bill• European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill• Extradition (Provisional Arrest) Bill• Fire Safety Bill• Fisheries Bill• Financial Services Bill• Health Service Safety Investigations Bill• High Speed Rail 2 (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill• Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (European Union Withdrawal) Bill• Medicines and Medical Devices Bill• National Security and Investment Bill• NHS Funding Bill • NHS Long Term Plan Bill• Online Harms Bill• Pension Schemes Bill• Police Powers and Protections Bill• Prisoners (Disclosure of Information About Victims) Bill• Private International Law (Implementation of Agreements) Bill• Renters’ Reform Bill• Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Bill• Sentencing Bill• Serious Violence Bill• Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill• Telecommunications (Connectivity) Bill• Thomas Cook Compensation Bill• Trade Bill• Windrush (Compensation Scheme) Bill The programme will also include Finance Bills to implement budget policy decisions.Detailed information about each of these bills can be accessed from the Gov.uk website at:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/853886/Queen_s_Speech_December_2019_-_background_briefing_notes.pdf

Oversight of Investigatory Powers

baroness evans of bowes park: My Rt Hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made the following statement to the House of Commons:On 18 July 2019, the Government published new guidance titled “The Principles relating to the detention and interviewing of detainees overseas and the passing and receipt of intelligence relating to detainees”. This will replace the existing “Consolidated Guidance” with effect from 1 January 2020. The new guidance is being extended to include the National Crime Agency and S015 Metropolitan Police Service and will provide clear direction for UK personnel on their interaction with detainees held by others overseas and the handling of intelligence derived from them.The Investigatory Powers Commissioner will continue to oversee and report on the application of The Principles and to enable this, I have today issued a Direction to the Commissioner to keep under review compliance with the guidance by UK personnel so far as they are engaged in intelligence activities. In accordance with my obligation to publish such directions under Section 230 of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, I am now depositing in the Libraries a copy of the Direction.

Government Transparency and Accountability

the earl of courtown: My Hon. Friend the Minister for the Constitution (Chloe Smith) made the following statement to the House of Commons:The Government is today publishing a number of documents as part of its ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability:The List of Ministers’ Interests, reflecting the Government as it stood on 5 November 2019, immediately before the dissolution of Parliament. Under the terms of the Ministerial Code, Ministers must ensure that no conflict arises, or could reasonably be perceived to arise, between their Ministerial position and their private interests, financial or otherwise. The List captures those interests relevant to Ministers’ Ministerial responsibilities, and should be read alongside the two Parliamentary Registers. In line with the commitment in the Ministerial Code, a further list reflecting ministerial appointments made since the General Election will be published next year.The Annual Report of the Prime Minister’s Independent Adviser on Interests, Sir Alex Allan, which accompanies the List of Ministers’ Interests.The Annual Report on Special Advisers 2019, in conformance with Section 16(1) of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.Copies of the List of Ministerial Interests, the Annual Report of the Prime Minister’s Independent Adviser on Interests and the Annual Report on Special Advisers will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and will be published on GOV.UK.Further transparency publications will be published in the New Year, in the usual way.